BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC- The Barbados Government says it has approved the implementation of a high performance centre as part of an “ambitious” five-year plan for sports in the country.
Sports minister Stephen Lashley says the high performance centre forms part of the national strategic plan for sports created in consultation with sports associations and federations.
“We recognise that our high achievers require specialist training and continuous counseling” Lashley during a ceremony to welcome Barbadian swimmers who produced their best performance to 41 medals at the CARIFTA swim meet in Barbados.
The strategic plan is being administered by a national sports council which has already begun rolling out measures to further develop sports on the island.
Other aspects of the strategic plan include a team Barbados approach and the establishment of a sporting hall of fame.
“What we know is [that for us] to get to that point over a period of at least five years, we need to adopt a Team Barbados approach, where we put resources and strategies behind these athletes,”Lashley explained.
“So we know for a fact, that they would medal when they go to international competitions. That is the thrust I envision will occur particularly with these high achievers”.
The Barbados sports Minister said his government also plans to introduce a programme involving former sporting champions to assist the development of budding athletes .
“We have already embraced the concept of adopting our sporting legends by supporting the Legends of Barbados in terms of cricket, but our thinking in [respect of] that has to be expanded,”Lashley said.
